my roof cage is rusting!

[mark@xxxx]

I haven't seen many people on the list with this problem, but 
unfortunately I am one with it.

I was setting out to adjust my t-panel because my driver side door 
was hitting it a little. When I had the door opened, I looked under 
the t-bar and noticed that there was a piece of metal that goes from 
one hinge to the other, along the edge of the door. This piece of 
metal was apparently, at one time, glued down to the body. Well, this 
piece is now lifted up off of the body and rusted quite badly. So 
much that if I press it down, I can hear the 'crunch' of the rust 
underneath it. The hinges look fine, although they have a little 
surface rust on them.

>From what it looks like, this piece of metal is actually a large 
piece that goes across the center of the roof and drops down on 
either side where the hinges bolt through it to the body. There is 
also another (at least I think it is a different one) metal section 
along the 'top part of the T' section where the t-bars are adjusted 
(along the back part of the roof). This piece has no rust on it. I am 
HOPING that these are two separate pieces so I can take out the one 
that goes between the doors that is rusted, and fabricate a new one 
like Brandon Moody had done. However, I can't tell if these are two 
separate pieces or not. I don't think I would be able to copy the 
back piece. There are just too many creases and bends in it.

Can someone shed some light on this for me? Who has been through 
this? What is the best solution? What does it involve? I would hate 
for the rust to cause part of the door system to fail and cause 
damage to the body or doors as a result.

I have digital pictures if someone would like to see them.

Thank you all for any help you can give me. I want my D to be perfect!

Mark Cook
#10901